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By Roger, March 20, 2012 9:52 am

North American tuner companies were invited to Toyota Headquarters in Torrence, California to measure the new Scion FR-S and take a closer look at the car to begin the process of drafting future tuning parts. Many tuners were present at the event and the response to Scion’s new sports car has been overwhelmingly positive across the board.

Present at the session include the tuning industry’s heavy-hitters AEM, DC Sports, Whitelime, and ACT. Wheel companies Velox and König and audio specialists Schosche were present as well. According to Motor Trend, whom were present at the measuring session, many more companies were still scheduled to take measurements after they departed.

A number of Scion FR-S models were provided by Toyota for the tuner’s disposal. Audio specialists dismantled the interiors to measure clearance for stereo systems. Taking it even farther, performance intake systems tuner Airaid went ahead and digitally mapped the engine bay with a 3D scanner. According to Airaid engineer Clayton Rietz, the intake system in the FR-S is similar to the set-up in the Toyota Tacoma, which Airaid has already made an intake system for. Assuming that an FR-S intake will be a straightforward tweak from the Tacoma, performance parts for the FR-S may make it to the market quickly after the cars official on sale date.

What’s more, a close look during the session revealed just how much of the hardware belongs to Toyota’s project partner, Subaru. Suspension, exhaust and brake components are all stamped with the Subaru emblem. Performance suspension specialists Whiteline noted that many parts appear shared with existing Subaru cars, making an aftermarket suspension system only a test fit away.

In terms of wheel fitment, the Hellaflush community will be delighted to know that the inner lips of the front fenders are already smoothened and fender rolling will not be a necessary task when performing an ultra-flush wheel fitment. Both front and rear brake calipers are very compact, effectively eliminating clearance issues. Several wheel experts also suggested the possibility of fitting 10-inch wide wheels in the rear without the need for modification.

With a car so tuner friendly, the new FR-S is not only well positioned to become an instant hit, but should bring forth a resurgence to aftermarket tuning as well.

Discuss the Scion FR-S at www.fr-sforum.com

GALLERY: Scion FR-S Measuring Session

[Source: Motor Trend]

www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/03/scion-fr-s-is-weighed-and-measured-by-excited-tuners.html

Uncategorized | Accessories AMERICAN Compact Cars COUPES EVENTS Featured Articles JAPANESE Modified American Modified Import Products Scion SPORTS CARS Subaru technology Toyota Uncategorized Wheels Tags: AFTERMARKET, BRZ, Coupe, FR-S, japanese cars, measuring session, performance parts, Scion, SPORTS CARS, Subaru, technology, Toyota, tuning kits, Wheels

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By Roger, March 16, 2012 2:04 pm

Toyota Motorsport's TMG EV P001 with the record-breaking lap time

Toyota Motorsport Group GmbH (TMG) announced today that their assault on Pikes Peak this year will be largely based around the TMG EV P001 that took the electric Nürburgring Nordschleife record last year. The Radical-based car completed the iconic German course in 7 minutes 47.794 seconds back in August 2011 but suffered from overheating issues which prevented it from making any more headway into the record – but that won’t stop them this time. TMG have invested a considerable amount of time in improving the drivetrain to allow it to cope with the longer and far more gruelling Pikes Peak hill climb, which sees competitors ascend 4721 feet along 20km of twisting mountain road.

There are no details yet as to the exact output of the car, but TMG are retaining EVO Motors as a technical partner and are sticking with the ceramic lithium battery chemistry that powered the previous incarnation. With 280kw on tap it was no slouch, but I get the feeling that they have something even more impressive up their sleeves through lessons learned at the ‘Ring. The car will be piloted by Japanese rally driver Fumio Nutahara, a veteran of the WRC circuit since 1999 and winner at the Monte Carlo rally in 2006, and as the new course is entirely tarmac for the first time he should be able to make full use of the immense torque from those motors.

But why Pikes Peak? According to their spokesperson TMG were so impressed with their performance in Germany that it has spurred them on to invest more time and effort in designing high performance electric powertrains. Even better, they will also apparently be taking their electric racing expertise to other series and are using Pikes Peak as a stepping stone for more high profile projects in future. You only have to look at the TS030 to know that Toyota are fully committed to alternative propulsion in motorsport, and I believe companies that test and showcase hybrid or electric drive on the track will be the winners in the showrooms in the coming years.

www.emotorsportnews.com/on-track/2012/03/toyota-to-tackle-pikes-peak-in-nurburgring-record-breaker/

Uncategorized | EV, p001, Pikes Peak, TMG, Toyota Motorsports